The Bishops' Conference of Scotland

CHURCH IN GAZA HIT BY ISRAELI AIRSTRIKE❗

Many of our supporters will remember when Justice & Peace Scotland, alongside the Archdiocese of Glasgow and SCIAF, welcomed Fr Gabriel Romanelli, the parish priest of the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza, to Scotland. He came with a heartfelt plea for peace in the lands of Palestine and Israel, and to share the daily reality of his suffering community.

Today we are heartbroken to learn that the Holy Family Church has been struck by an Israeli airstrike. Many have been injured, including Fr Gabriel himself.

In a statement, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said: "The Holy Family Church in Gaza has been struck by a raid this morning. There are several injuries in the place, including the Parish Priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli."

Attacks on civilian populations like this one have been happening for months in Gaza. They are unacceptable. From the outset of this war, we have called for a ceasefire, echoing the words of the late Pope Francis, "Wars are always a defeat," and the powerful appeal of our new Pope Leo: "Today more than ever, humanity cries out and pleads for peace."

When Fr Gabriel was with us in Scotland, his message was simple and urgent: "I am the parish priest of the only Catholic Church in Gaza, and I come here to ask you to do everything you can to stop this war. Work for peace in any way you can. Pray for peace in any way you can."

Justice & Peace Scotland urges all our supporters to please contact your MP, telling them this story and asking them what they are doing to advocate for an immediate ceasefire.

We ask you also to pray for Fr Gabriel and the entire parish community. May they know they are not alone, that their brothers and sisters in Christ across the world know they are there, that we remember them and we hold them in prayerful solidarity.

Gospel of the Day (Luke 10,25-37)

There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test Jesus and said, "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus said to him, "What is written in the law? How do you read it?" He said in reply, "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself."

He replied to him, "You have answered correctly; do this and you will live." But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" Jesus replied, "A man fell victim to robbers as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho. They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead. A priest happened to be going down that road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. Likewise a Levite came to the place, and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.

But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight. He approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them. Then he lifted him up on his own animal, took him to an inn and cared for him.

The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction, 'Take care of him. If you spend more than what I have given you, I shall repay you on my way back.' Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers' victim?" He answered, "The one who treated him with mercy." Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day/2025/07/13.html